Howe reveals truth behind deadline day transfer talks & aims telling dig at Premier League rivals

Speaking to the press this morning, Eddie Howe has been asked about what turned out to be a quiet deadline day on Tyneside - not for the want of trying!

He's revealed that "nobody" wanted to do Newcastle a favour in his bid to land late loan deals yesterday, claiming that a host of unnamed Premier League clubs "didn't really want to be seen helping us."

Who knows what went on, but the club were interested in a host of fringe players at Chelsea - Conor Gallagher and Christian Pulisic being two - while Lucas Moura (Tottenham), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) and Leander Dendoncker (Wolves) were also linked on deadline day.

Howe also revealed that prices have been "sky high" all summer, feeling the Newcastle tax is "definitely" real after seeing some of the fees we were quoted.

However, the NUFC boss feels we've still had a "very good window", insisting that a squad is never built in one transfer as he already begins planning for January.

Here's what he's had to say on all of the above, starting with his telling comments on a frustrating deadline day:

“We tried on a couple of deals yesterday morning and were hopeful to get one done, but it fell away about 6/7pm.

"We were actively trying to make one or two things happen that would have made a difference to us until the very end of the window, but it is difficult and we looked at loan options as well.

“Let’s just say there was nobody there ready to do us a favour.

'Domestic clubs didn’t really want to be seen helping us. We have to deal with that and we will.

"Prices have been sky high. The price is definitely higher for Newcastle."

Eddie Howe on our summer window as a whole and plans moving forward:

"Very good window for us.

"When you set out at the start, I had a very clear vision of what I wanted it to be and it's never perfect. But everyone has given their all to give us the best squad possible. It was a long window but we're very pleased.

"A squad is never built in one transfer window. It does take time and your squad is never perfect. Every window you're always looking to improve things. We're pleased where we are now, then we have January and next summer.

“Planning transfers takes on a new level these days. The work has already started towards January.”

Imagine that, Premier League clubs being rattled by little old Newcastle United! We must be doing something right...